Khaleda Zia's BNP/Jamaat have found a ghost microphone in various ghost writers of Munshi/Bahar/Sunita Paul clones.
In New York City, on Wall Street and Union Square, the protesters are using HUMAN microphones. As the whole world is watching and listening we should be listening too, and comparethe message with the crackling, self-humiliating lies about Bangladesh.
Farida Majid
=========================
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Tom Ferguson on America for Sale
Tom Ferguson is my favorite curmudgeon and if you listen to this podcast from Radio Free Dylan [Ratigan], you are likely to join his fan club. Ferguson is a political scientist who is both a serious archivist (which means he has found how the official accounts have been doctored to flatter the victors) and is an astute observer of national and state politics.
An excerpt from the transcript of the podcast:
Tom: They stuck posted prices on their committee assignments and the slots on those committees, like committee chairs and party leaderships posts. You want the job, you write the cash and buy it at the price. You know, my memory on this is that in 2008, the Democrats wanted for major committee chairs, they wanted $400,000 in contributions and another $200,000 in promises to fundraise. That's a lot. And, you know, for the higher up you go in the party, the more you have to raise. I mean, these guys are running an auction system and, of course, it's not just the Democrats. This is – hey, there is success bipartisanship in America and it has to do with money in politics.
An excerpt from the transcript of the podcast:
Tom: They stuck posted prices on their committee assignments and the slots on those committees, like committee chairs and party leaderships posts. You want the job, you write the cash and buy it at the price. You know, my memory on this is that in 2008, the Democrats wanted for major committee chairs, they wanted $400,000 in contributions and another $200,000 in promises to fundraise. That's a lot. And, you know, for the higher up you go in the party, the more you have to raise. I mean, these guys are running an auction system and, of course, it's not just the Democrats. This is – hey, there is success bipartisanship in America and it has to do with money in politics.
Dylan: How explicit though – you say they put a price, big box price tags on the various offices and all the rest of it, how explicit is the reciprocity between those who benefit from the funding and policy?
Tom: Well, look, that's hard to tell from the outside, usually. On the inside, I've looked at probably more political correspondence on this than anybody else over about 100 years in archives. It's often shockingly explicit. And, in general, if you think that all this cash is just given by nice folks because they love, you know, just maybe the game, which is what some foolish people have sometime suggested, or you might just consider how all of this money tends to go exactly to the committees, chairs, and committee members where it should based on where the legislation is most likely to be influenced. Now, you're not dealing here with friends who like to admire some bird just sitting around. In general, this thing has the structure of a beehive, they say there are slots everywhere and everybody's in their place.
Dylan: And what do you suggest is the greatest distortion in our government that results from this. Let me be very specific. Is it this distortion to policy to itself, whether it's the tax code or trade policy or bank reform or healthcare reform, or is it the things that are never talked about at all because of the money?
Tom: Well, I'm sorted reminded of the apocryphal quote from Hubert Humphrey, "we don't have to choose between jobs and collusion; we can have both." Frankly, you know, hey, the stuff that's not talked about and the stuff that is talked about, sure, nobody's going to walk around – I mean, there's a lot of folks who want stuff that you can't ever discuss much, it does, nevertheless, pass Congress if you look, begin particularly when you get some of these outrageous bills where, you know, it will turn out when you parse the legislative language that it's in a, say, Big Four accounting firm or Big Three accounting firm (since one is a happy memory), and it turns out to be like a $20 billion windfall for it or something. You may not read about that anywhere. That stuff happens, too. But, yeah, tax policy and stuff like that. Look, everything is for sale, that's the logic of the new Congress there. Since the '90s, everything's auctioned, and that's what the bulk of the population doesn't understand this. The insiders know it but everybody else is still in the dark. You can't find me a single discussion of this – I was laughing in a recent discussion in the New York Times. There was some columnist in there who he interviewed a Congressman about – or an ex-Congressman about what was going wrong in Congress. And finally the guy mentions towards the end, "Oh, yes, there's this terrible money problem." You know, look, that's the problem. You're selling everything.
You can read the rest of the transcript here or listen to the podcast:
To:
From: bdmailer@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 4 Sep 2011 13:35:47 +0600
Subject: [ALOCHONA] Bangladesh for sale – or already sold?
Bangladesh for sale – or already sold?
By Sunita Paul
People always may have their own way of thinking. This is the age of democracy, where people are supposed to freely express their opinion. But in today's world, only few of the rulers ever wish to hear criticism. They rather feel comfortable with sycophants. That happens in most of the places. None of the leaders appreciate people knowing the truth also some times. They (leaders) mostly want to do everything with the excuse of 'aspiration of the people', while in reality; most of such actions are aimed at protecting their grip over power.
Honestly, it is very difficult to find a true democrat or a good ruler in today's world. The entire concept of democracy and democratic institutions have unfortunately transformed into mere dictatorship in everywhere in the world. Politicians have become so much 'power blind' that they compromise with national interest, every now and then, whenever they find the right opportunity of doing so, just for the sake of continuing in power. In South Asia, such situation is alarmingly prevalent in some countries, and more precisely, Bangladesh is the latest inclusion in the list.
Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on September 6 with the agenda of getting at least 7 protocols and bilateral (in fact unilaterally favorable to India only) treaties, agreements and protocols. According to Indian media, Dhaka is ready to 'consummate' such 'precious opportunity of establishing closer ties with New Delhi'. The politicians in Dhaka have no bad feelings in them, although they know, India will just be taking everything from Bangladesh through these treaties and protocols and agreements, while give almost nothing in return. Some political pundits in Bangladesh wrongly predict that such treaties, protocols and agreements will turn Bangladesh into another Sikkim. But, unfortunately, their predictions are absolutely wrong. India does not aspire to transform Bangladesh into another Sikkim by annexing it geographically. Rather, India wants to turn Bangladesh into a subservient state like Nepal, where Indian agendas will be accepted and implemented without uttering a single word.
After many decades of the independence of Bangladesh, Indian policymakers have got the right opportunity with the current government led by Mrs. Sheikh Hasina Wazed, who is willing to ensure to be in power till 2025 at the cost of 'anything'. Many say, rulers in Dhaka are now ready to compromise independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh as well even get many of the national interests 'screwed' just to make sure, Indian government in delighted.
Let us have a glimpse over what Bangladesh has so far prepared for their special guest, who arrives on September 6. In addition to numerous 'gifts', Bangladesh will handover ULFA leader Anup Chetia, Laxmi Prashad and Babul Sharma to Indian authorities as 'appetizer' as soon as Manmohan steps into Dhaka. Bangladesh is going to give land, water and railway transit as a rate, which is one-hundredth in compared to any other agreements of such nature in anywhere in the world. Bangladesh actually will continue to lose, with this transit treaty – rather, it will become the permanent shackle on Bangladeshi nations, to remain drowned in debts for years after years. One of the Indian newspapers said, 'for the first time, Indian politicians are going to taste the cheapest political whores in Bangladeshi policymakers. They want to sacrifice everything just for the sake of remaining in power.'
Not encouraging for any nation, I believe! Manmohan will also take back, Delhi's claimed land, annexed by Bangladesh, while he will not handover, what Bangladesh has been claiming to have been annexed by Delhi for decades. Dr. Singh will also get the maritime treaty signed with Bangladesh, where Dhaka will practically lose its legitimate ownership over a large area in the Bay of Bengal.
Mr. Chidambaram has already signed an Memorandum of Understanding with his counterpart, Advocate Sahara Khatun, under which, Indian elite forces will land in Bangladesh from November this year for joining 'Bangladeshi elite forces in combating terrorism.' Well, Delhi will definitely combat any activities of Indian insurgents inside Bangladesh. This is the broad-based meaning of the term 'terrorism'. Under this MOU, India gets legal right to strike Bangladeshi land through air, water or road ways, even without 'leaking advance intelligence report on existence of such terrorist bases within Bangladesh'.
Delhi also gets the legal status to arrest, interrogate and even repatriate any suspected terrorist inside Bangladesh. It is well understood that, Awami League will greatly use this provision with Indian help in cracking their political opponents and political enemies inside the country.
Do any of these facts sound favorable for any nation which would claim to be sovereign? It doesn't of course. But, this is the road; Bangladesh Awami League has finally opted to walk. And possibly it is not difficult to predict what would be the ultimate result. It is surprising enough to see, people of Bangladesh are not only put into dark about all these agreements, treaties and protocols, but their attention has been already shifted to smaller issues like road communication etc. Pro-Awami League think-tanks and so-called members of civil society (all aligned towards Awami League) are jumping into this issue to make sure, people of Bangladesh wont wake up before final 'consummation' with India is over.
September 11 is a black day in the history of humanity when, United States was attacked by Islamic terrorists years back. Now, September 6 is going to be a real black day, for the people of Bangladesh.
--
Sunita Paul
Political analyst on South Asian affairs
E Mail :penofsunita@gmail.com
http://newsfrombangladesh.net/view.php?hidRecord=364878
Honestly, it is very difficult to find a true democrat or a good ruler in today's world. The entire concept of democracy and democratic institutions have unfortunately transformed into mere dictatorship in everywhere in the world. Politicians have become so much 'power blind' that they compromise with national interest, every now and then, whenever they find the right opportunity of doing so, just for the sake of continuing in power. In South Asia, such situation is alarmingly prevalent in some countries, and more precisely, Bangladesh is the latest inclusion in the list.
Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on September 6 with the agenda of getting at least 7 protocols and bilateral (in fact unilaterally favorable to India only) treaties, agreements and protocols. According to Indian media, Dhaka is ready to 'consummate' such 'precious opportunity of establishing closer ties with New Delhi'. The politicians in Dhaka have no bad feelings in them, although they know, India will just be taking everything from Bangladesh through these treaties and protocols and agreements, while give almost nothing in return. Some political pundits in Bangladesh wrongly predict that such treaties, protocols and agreements will turn Bangladesh into another Sikkim. But, unfortunately, their predictions are absolutely wrong. India does not aspire to transform Bangladesh into another Sikkim by annexing it geographically. Rather, India wants to turn Bangladesh into a subservient state like Nepal, where Indian agendas will be accepted and implemented without uttering a single word.
After many decades of the independence of Bangladesh, Indian policymakers have got the right opportunity with the current government led by Mrs. Sheikh Hasina Wazed, who is willing to ensure to be in power till 2025 at the cost of 'anything'. Many say, rulers in Dhaka are now ready to compromise independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh as well even get many of the national interests 'screwed' just to make sure, Indian government in delighted.
Let us have a glimpse over what Bangladesh has so far prepared for their special guest, who arrives on September 6. In addition to numerous 'gifts', Bangladesh will handover ULFA leader Anup Chetia, Laxmi Prashad and Babul Sharma to Indian authorities as 'appetizer' as soon as Manmohan steps into Dhaka. Bangladesh is going to give land, water and railway transit as a rate, which is one-hundredth in compared to any other agreements of such nature in anywhere in the world. Bangladesh actually will continue to lose, with this transit treaty – rather, it will become the permanent shackle on Bangladeshi nations, to remain drowned in debts for years after years. One of the Indian newspapers said, 'for the first time, Indian politicians are going to taste the cheapest political whores in Bangladeshi policymakers. They want to sacrifice everything just for the sake of remaining in power.'
Not encouraging for any nation, I believe! Manmohan will also take back, Delhi's claimed land, annexed by Bangladesh, while he will not handover, what Bangladesh has been claiming to have been annexed by Delhi for decades. Dr. Singh will also get the maritime treaty signed with Bangladesh, where Dhaka will practically lose its legitimate ownership over a large area in the Bay of Bengal.
Mr. Chidambaram has already signed an Memorandum of Understanding with his counterpart, Advocate Sahara Khatun, under which, Indian elite forces will land in Bangladesh from November this year for joining 'Bangladeshi elite forces in combating terrorism.' Well, Delhi will definitely combat any activities of Indian insurgents inside Bangladesh. This is the broad-based meaning of the term 'terrorism'. Under this MOU, India gets legal right to strike Bangladeshi land through air, water or road ways, even without 'leaking advance intelligence report on existence of such terrorist bases within Bangladesh'.
Delhi also gets the legal status to arrest, interrogate and even repatriate any suspected terrorist inside Bangladesh. It is well understood that, Awami League will greatly use this provision with Indian help in cracking their political opponents and political enemies inside the country.
Do any of these facts sound favorable for any nation which would claim to be sovereign? It doesn't of course. But, this is the road; Bangladesh Awami League has finally opted to walk. And possibly it is not difficult to predict what would be the ultimate result. It is surprising enough to see, people of Bangladesh are not only put into dark about all these agreements, treaties and protocols, but their attention has been already shifted to smaller issues like road communication etc. Pro-Awami League think-tanks and so-called members of civil society (all aligned towards Awami League) are jumping into this issue to make sure, people of Bangladesh wont wake up before final 'consummation' with India is over.
September 11 is a black day in the history of humanity when, United States was attacked by Islamic terrorists years back. Now, September 6 is going to be a real black day, for the people of Bangladesh.
--
Sunita Paul
Political analyst on South Asian affairs
E Mail :penofsunita@gmail.com
http://newsfrombangladesh.net/view.php?hidRecord=364878
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